The Lx200 Keypad Hand Controller; Enter Key; Mode Key; Go To Key - Meade LX200 Instruction Manual

THE LX200 KEYPAD HAND CONTROLLER

Designed to make you a better astronomer, the integration of
optics, mechanics, electronics, and software in the LX200
Maksutov Cassegrain or Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope is
easily mastered. So easy, in fact that the telescope becomes a
natural extension of the observer.
The LX200 gives you virtually every telescope function possible
with every control in a compact hand held console. The red
LCD backlit keypad has tactile touch buttons (some of which
are brighter than others), designed to have the right feel even
if you wear gloves. Its red LCD backlit display, key
arrangement, and easy to understand information allow you to
focus the telescope and your mind on the subject at hand.
The LX200 keypad hand controller is a dual axis drive corrector
with periodic error control; an information display center for the
computerized library; a digital coordinate readout system; a
pulsing, illuminated reticle eyepiece brightness controller; a two
speed electric focuser controller, and a red LED flashlight!
You will find within a few minutes of powering up the LX200 that
the keypad becomes warm, which is normal for the system.
The electronics utilize a heat sink as a means to provide the
correct operating environment temperature for the LCD display
even in sub-zero weather. If you are in these colder conditions,
the display may not be visible until the keypad has transferred
enough heat. This process can take a few minutes upon
powering up the telescope. While severe cold weather is not
damaging to the electronics, it is advised to keep the keypad in
a warmer area to allow immediate proper display performance.
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2
3
4
5
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Fig. 6: Keypad Hand Controller. (1) ENTER Key; (2) MODE
Key; (3) GO TO Key; (4) Direction Keys;(5) RETURN Key;
(6) Speed Keys; (7) Red LED Light; (8) Display; (9) Focus
Key; (10) Object Keys; (11) MAP Key; (12) PREVIOUS and
NEXT Keys.
The LX200 keypad buttons are described as follows:

1. ENTER Key

The ENTER key (1, Fig. 6) is used to select a menu file, a file
option, or to edit a value. To select a file or an option, press and
release the ENTER key. The LX200 will give a short beep tone
and perform the action that you have requested. To edit a
value, press and hold the ENTER key until a double beep tone
is heard and a blinking cursor appears in the display. There are
some other specific situations where the ENTER key is used.
These are described in detail where necessary. From now on,
the two types of presses will be called 'press' and 'press and
hold."
- 14 -

2. MODE Key

The MODE key (2, Fig.6) cycles through the five modes of the
LX200, and is used to exit from specific menu files.

3. GO TO Key

The GO TO key (3, Fig. 6) causes the LX200 to automatically
slew to specific library entry coordinates. The GO TO key also
produces a blinking cursor in the GO TO menu file of the
COORDINATES/GO TO mode, to allow new Right Ascension
and Declination coordinates to be entered.

4. Direction Keys

Labeled N, S, E, and W, (4, Fig. 6) these four keys make the
LX200 move, or slew, in a specific direction, with an option of
four different speeds, explained later. During entry to change a
value, the E and W keys can be used to move the blinking
cursor back and forth across the LCD display, so that if an error
is made during entry, it can be erased and changed.
The remaining 12 keys have multiple functions, there are up
and down arrow keys, and numbered keys from 0 through 9.
Each one of these keys also has alternate functions listed
above the arrow symbols and numbers. The ALT LED light is
only visible when entering numerical data. A description of the
individual keys follows:
5. Speed Keys (SLEW, FIND, CENTER, and GUIDE)
These keys (6, Fig. 6) allow you to set the rate of movement
(slew) speed in the drives of the LX200, as activated by the N,
S, E, and W keys. The chosen rate is indicated by the speed
indicator illuminated LED beside the rate key that you have
pressed. the speed rates are SLEW (4 degrees per second),
FIND (1 degrees per second), CNTR (16X sidereal rate), and
7 GUIDE (2X sidereal rate).
NOTE: All of the slew speeds will drive the LX200 in all four
8 directions, except for GUIDE. The 2X sidereal speed in GUIDE
has one difference in that it will not interrupt the Right
Ascension tracking direction to make Easterly (for Northern
hemisphere) or Westerly
9
adjustments; it will merely slow down the tracking drive to one
half its normal speed. You will find, however, that the slower
drive will move the image opposite of the tracking direction,
without disturbing the smooth drive action. This performance is
absolutely essential when making astrophotographs.
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SLEW, FIND, CENTER, and GUIDE keys also have numbers
listed 7, 4, 1, and 0 respectively. When editing a value, the
multiple function of each of these keys is realized. SLEW and
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FIND are also used to set the "fast" focus speed for the electric
focuser accessory option, while CNTR and GUIDE set the
"slow" focus speed. There are other special functions for the
CNTR and GUIDE keys that are discussed in the RET KEY
12
operations.

6. RET Key

Typically used
astrophotograph, the RET key (5, Fig. 6) is used to change the
brightness and pulse rate of the optional corded style
illuminated reticle eyepiece. Pressing either the PREV and
NEXT (up and down arrow) keys while holding down the RET
key, alters the reticle brightness level up or down.
When guiding on very faint stars, you may find it helpful to
pulse the light from the LED so that the reticle crosshairs blink
on and off. You will be able to adjust the reticle brightness as
well as adjust the pulse rates. There are three pulse rates that
can be used, all with a one second pulse interval. The
continuous illumination control and pulse rates are set by
holding down the RET key and pressing one of the following
keys; GUIDE (100% on, no pulsing), CNTR (50% on, 50% off),
MAP (25% on, 75% off), CNGC (10% on, 90% off).
(for Southern hemisphere)
for guiding the LX200 during an